Paul Cook

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Rosemary Murphy |Paul Cook

Comments by a regional Western Australian councillor suggesting Greens voters in the federal election should be used as target practice have been condemned by the city's mayor and the Greens. In response on social media to a profile of Greens candidate for the seat of O'Connor, Giz Watson, by the Albany Advertiser, Mr Lionetti said: "Who votes these muppets in needs lining up for our army's target practice."Ms Watson said the comments were not acceptable.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Samantha Goerling |Kate Forrester |Paul Cook

Western Australia's regional voters have showed they prefer the National Party as the state's opposition, with two of its candidates claiming victory in the latest results. The seats of Albany and Warren-Blackwood had been held by WA Labor before the March 8 state election. Albany had been a Labor seat for 21 years and was last held by the Nationals (then the Country Party) 69 years ago. The Nationals reclaimed Warren-Blackwood after it was lost in the Mark McGowan "red wave" in 2021.

Jan 22, 2025 | abc.net.au | Paul Cook |John Dobson |Samantha Goerling

A West Australian surfer says he is extremely lucky to have escaped injury after a shark charged at him and bit a chunk out of his surfboard. Albany man Dale Kittow was surfing about 150m off Cheynes Beach, an idyllic tourist spot about 50 kilometres east of the south coast city, when the shark attacked just before 4pm Wednesday. "I paddled over a wave and I saw this shark swimming 10 metres away," Mr Kittow said.

Nov 20, 2024 | abc.net.au | Jamie Thannoo |Paul Cook

Travelling a round trip of more than 600 kilometres to check into a residential rehabilitation centre was the only option for Albany's Samuel Turton. It was Mr Turton's only choice because the Great Southern is the only region in Western Australia without a residential rehabilitation centre. Mr Turton, 29, has struggled with addiction for a decade, and 12 months ago he travelled to the South West to enter a facility.

Oct 18, 2024 | abc.net.au | Paul Cook |John Dobson

As thunderstorms exploded across several parts of Australia this week, photographers jumped into action. Stunning storm photos emerged from parts of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia, many with a distinct purple hue. Lightning can come in many different colours, including yellow, brown, pink and red, depending on environmental factors. But Bureau of Meterology senior forecaster Jessica Lingard said purple was the most common colour.